Second Annual Great Swamp Shoot & Conservation Program Auction Items

Below are live and silent auction items that will be offered at the Dutchess County Ducks Unlimited Chapter's Second Annual Great Swamp Shoot & Conservation Program on Saturday, October 4, 2014, at the Beretta Shooting Grounds at Dover Furnace in Dover Plains, New York. Items will continue to be added until the day of the event. Please check back for updates.

Live Auction

Quaker Valley Farm Duck Hunt for Two, Pawling, NY

Win a truly remarkable duck hunt for two on private property within the Great Swamp in Pawling, New York. This premier offering includes dinner and lodging the evening before in a guesthouse on Quaker Valley Farm, which is a 90-minute drive from Mid-town Manhattan. Bidders must have a NYS Hunting License/Small Game, a Federal Duck Stamp and a HIP written on the Duck Stamp. Schedule any time during the legal duck season providing it does not interfere with family and guests. Expires 2014. Donated by Quaker Valley Farm

Raptor Hunting with Allan Shope

Accompany Master Falconer Allan Shope on a two-hour hunt with his bird of prey. Learn about the natural history of falconry, native raptors, habits and adaptations of these remarkable birds that depend on the conservation of open space for their survival.
For two, at mutually convenient time and location. Expires October 4, 2015.Donated by Allan Shope

Day of Sport at Tamarack Preserve, Millbrook, NY

The day of sport at Tamarack will begin with a clays warm-up on the five stand. For the walkup hunt, you will be provided with a guide and dog. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the clubhouse. Ammunition is included. Please call Tamarack for scheduling during the 2014-2015 season.Donated By Tim Bontecou

AUDUBON, John James (1785-1851). Amsterdam and New York: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum and Johnson Reprint Corporation, 1971-72

Four framed prints have been donated by Donald Heald, and are described as follows:

In October 1971, employing the most faithful printing method available, the best materials and the ablest craftsmen of their age, the Amsterdam firm of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ltd., in conjunction with the Johnson Reprint Corporation of New York, set out to produce the finest possible limited edition facsimile of the greatest bird book ever printed: the Havell edition of John James Audubon's well-loved "Birds of America". The Curators of the Teyler's Museum in Haarlem, Holland made their copy of the original work available for use as a model. The publishers and their dedicated team completed their task late in 1972 and the results of these labours were affectionately known as the "Amsterdam Audubon." 250 copies were published and sold by subscription, with the plates available bound or unbound. Given all this careful preparation, it is not surprising that the prints have the look and feel of the original Havell edition.

This self-cleaning shotgun reliably cycles 12-gauge rounds from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2". The Versaport™ gas system regulates cycling pressure based on shell length, and reduces recoil to that of a 20-gauge. Includes 1 ProBore® Extended Choke Tube (Full). In Remington's opinion, this is the most versatile, reliable shotgun on the market.http://www.remington.com/pages/versa-max.aspxDonated by Remington

Silent Auction

Break more clays or bad habits under the expert guidance of world medalist Anthony Matarese. By the time Anthony was six years old he had a shotgun in his hand, and at age 10 he started shooting competitive sporting clays. His list of accomplishments is long, impressive and still growing. Recognized as one of the top competitors in the U.S. and the world, Anthony has earned his way onto 16 All-American teams in 18 years of competing. Anthony began teaching at the young age of 14 and many of his students have gone on to have great success at the national and international level. Anthony teaches all experience levels from beginners to world-class shooters. For two, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.clayshootinginstruction.comDonated by Beretta Shooting Grounds at Dover Furnace

Fly Fishing for Sea-run Cutthroat and Salmon in Puget Sound, WA

You will spend a day with a Master Fly Casting Instructor who built his first rod for Sage at the age of 16, and owns the oldest fly shop in the Pacific Northwest. Jimmy Lemert is one of 150 Federation of Fly Fisher-certified instructors in the US. He has won the Champion Distance award at the Northwest Fly Casting Exposition twice, and has been Champion Angler four times in the Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament. Jimmy has led fly fishing groups from Baja to Belize, and currently fishes year-round in Puget Sound. For two, at a mutually convenient time. Airfare not included. Expires October 4, 2015. http://www.patricksflyshop.comDonated by Jimmy Lemert

A Signed Bottle of Bourbon from Millbrook Distillery, presented in a Gun Case

Millbrook Distillery's Dutchess Private Reserve takes its name from the historic Hudson Valley of New York. It is hand crafted in small batches using only the finest ingredients including fresh spring water from Rolling Hills Farm in Dutchess County. This process gives it a distinct taste with notes of oak, vanilla and carmel and a crisp, clean finish. Aged for a minimum of two years and cut to 90 proof, Dutchess Private Reserve is smooth and accessible with a bit of an edge to remind you it is straight bourbon whiskey. "Come celebrate America's Native Spirit with us!"http://millbrookdistillery.comDonated by Paul J. Coughlin

Lunch and tour for four of Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Anna Wintour Costume Center

The exhibition will explore the aesthetic development and cultural implications of mourning fashions of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Approximately 30 ensembles, many of which are being exhibited for the first time, will reveal the impact of high-fashion standards on the sartorial dictates of bereavement rituals as they evolved over a century. The predominantly black palette of mourning dramatizes the evolution of period silhouettes and the increasing absorption of fashion ideals into this most codified of etiquettes. In addition, the veiled widow could elicit sympathy as well as predatory male advances because of the absence of her primary protector. On the other hand, as a woman of sexual experience without marital constraints, she was often imagined as a potential threat to the social order. For four, at the mutual convenience of the participants and curators Harold Koda and Jessica Regan between October 21, 2014 and February 1, 2015.Donated by Harold Koda

Riding Lesson with KC DiCostanzo, Thunder Moon Farm, Wingdale, NY

KC is well known in the Eventing community as a member of the US Eventing Association Area I Council. She represented the US at the North American Young Rider Championships as a teenager and later rode at International levels as an adult. Recently, she and her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Resilient, were part of the 2014 Area I Championship Team, and the 2013 Area I Reserve Championship Team. They've been featured in the Chronicle of the Horse in August 2014 and will be demonstrating the Thoroughbred breed at Equine Affaire in November. Thunder Moon Farm is an exclusive facility owned by Kimberly Compton DiCostanzo ("KC") and Matt DiCostanzo. Set in the historic hills of New York's Dutchess County, Thunder Moon is located mere minutes from Litchfield County, CT and nearby NYC Metro-North Trains. For one, age 8 and older. The lesson will be taught by KC DiConstanzo at a mutually convenient time and within a 40-mile radius. The content of the lesson will be discussed with the winner. Expires October 4, 2015.Donated by KC DiCostanzo

Round of Golf at the Sakonnet Golf Club, Little Compton, RI

Enjoy the breathtaking view of Aquidneck Island across the Sakonnet River as you putt out on the first green and contemplate a hole in one on the upcoming Par Three. Located in Little Compton, Rhode Island, the private Sakonnet Golf Club features an 18-hole regulation golf course that hugs the coastline and features open views of the Atlantic Ocean. A round for four, carts included. Expires October 4, 2015.http://sakonnetgc.com/non-members.phpDonated by Stancy DuHamel

Birding in Dutchess County with Alan Peterson

Curious about who is migrating through or stopping to nest in your woods, fields and streams? Invite Alan Peterson, Waterman Bird Club Education Chair and 18-Year Participant in the World Series of Birding, to join you in a location of your choice in Dutchess County – your own backyard perhaps – for two hours of observation. Maximum four people, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Series_of_BirdingDonated by Alan Peterson

Eco-Tour of the Great Swamp with Biologist and Conservationist James Utter

Leave civilization behind as your boat leaves the shore and you explore the magic of the Great Swamp, New York State's third largest freshwater wetlands right here in the Harlem Valley. Your guide through this alternate universe is Jim Utter, Chair of Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) and Associate Professor Emeritus in Environmental Studies and Biology at Purchase College. Dr. Utter is a specialist in wetlands habitat and his focus is the conservation of the Great Swamp, a 20-mile wetlands that runs from Dover Plains down to Brewster in Putnam County. Tour accommodates four at a mutually convenient time. Canoes provided, or bring your new kayak with you. Plan on three to four hours. Expires October 4, 2015.Click here for more information.Donated by Jim Utter

AKC Field Trial and Hunt Test Competitor Jennifer Broome will work with you, a companion and your dogs - any breed of pointing, flushing or retrieving dog - to problem solve or to prepare for the opening of hunting season. Quinebaug Kennels, LLC was founded by Jennifer in 2001. Her experience extends from years of training and teaching. She is highly professional, a published author, and an expert in raising and training dogs. An avid outdoorswoman and successful hunter, Jennifer simply loves spending time in the field with dogs. Clients travel from all over New England seeking Jennifer's advice and coaching as a prominent gun dog trainer. Her other passions include her artwork, fishing, shooting, and horse riding. Jennifer actively competes with her pointer and retrievers in AKC Field Trials and Hunting Tests
For two handlers and two dogs in Millbrook, NY, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015. http://quinebaugkennels.com/Donated by Jennifer Broome

Fly Fish for Brookies and Browns in Mill Creek on Madava Farms, Home of Crown Maple, Dover Plains, NY

Want to get in on a secret? Guide Craig Castioni will introduce you to this private stream considered by some to be the cleanest and most under-fished trout stream in Dutchess County. Half day of catch and release for two at a mutually convenient time. BYO Equipment. Expires October 4, 2015.
For a glimpse of Mill Creek, http://crownmaple.com/crown-maple-farm/robbs-story.Donated by Madava Farms & Craig Castioni

Private Shooting Lesson at Orvis Sandanona, Millbrook, NY

Orvis Sandanona is a place where the traditions of the field and the hunt are held in the highest regard and is the oldest permitted shotgun shooting club in the country. The main lodge was built during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, and, using its richly textured past as a foundation, Orvis Sandanona has built a thriving, modern sporting-clays shooting ground that is consistently ranked among the very best in the nation. Orvis Fly-Fishing and Wingshooting Schools and a fully-catered lodge facility that includes ample meeting space create a benchmark experience for both corporate recreation and individual sporting pursuits. Learn the shotgunning basics or brush up on your skills at Sandanona with an Orvis Professional Instructor. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.orvis.com/sandanonaDonated by Orvis Sandanona

Breakfast for Two with Elizabeth J. McCormack, Philanthropic Advisor and Trail Blazer

Learn about the principles of giving wisely, or listen to a riveting first-hand account of facing a student takeover of a college as its President in the 60's. Wherever the conversation leads, you will come away much the wiser after talking to this 93 year old who still travels internationally for work. Elizabeth J. McCormack formerly directed the Rockefeller Philanthropy office and remains a philanthropic advisor to members of the Rockefeller family. She was President of Manhattanville College in New York from 1966 to 1974, and during her tenure took the college from an elite Catholic women's institution to a nondenominational, coeducational institution. Ms. McCormack is currently Chair of the Partnership for Palliative Care, and serves on the boards of StoryCorps, The Juilliard School, Trust for Mutual Understanding, and Hamilton and Manhattanville Colleges. Ms. McCormack is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Century Association. Past service includes Chairs of the board of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Asian Cultural Council, Director of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Trustee of Cambridge, Spellman and Marlboro Colleges. A member of the Society of the Sacred Heart for nearly thirty years, Ms. McCormack is a graduate of Manhattanville College and earned her Ph.D. in philosophy at Fordham University. Three years ago, her biography was published: "No Ordinary Life," a copy of which is included with this experience. Breakfast at a location of Ms. McCormack's choice, and at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.uhfnyc.org/support_the_fund/special_events/Elizabeth_McCormack/Donated by Elizabeth McCormack

Orvis Superfine Touch 904-4 Fly Rod & Battenkill Reel

Even on large, rolling rivers, a perfect presentation and excellent drift can separate your fly from the rest, making it nearly irresistible to even the most wary of trout. With a full 9-foot reach and a surprising bit of power built into its 4-weight frame, the Superfine Touch 904-4 is a versatile, lightweight, Full-Flex rod that excels with the dry fly on streams both large and small. Double dry rigs turnover with little effort, and mending has never been easier with a rod this smooth. It's a perfect dry-fly rod, designed for anglers who value a relaxed action and just a little extra reach. Made in Manchester, Vermont, USA. Package comes with a loaded Battenkill Size II Black nickel reel.http://www.orvis.com/p/superfine-touch-4-weight-9-fly-rod-full-flex/3a9pDonated by Orvis Sandanona

Private Tour of the USS Growler submarine with James B. Lebenthal, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Submarine Service

Imagine what life was like for the crew of this compact and efficient vessel as you walk through the USS Growler with Pawling resident and Submariner Jimmy Lebenthal. Hear first hand about the logistics – human and mechanical – of running and living on a submarine; learn about the technological advancements that produced the nuclear powered submarines we have today, and how they differ from the diesel powered subs like the Growler, which was launched in 1958. Past or present, the ability to live in close quarters is part of the package. Meet at the Intrepid Museum in NYC at a mutually convenient time. This experience includes a visit on aircraft carrier. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/The-Intrepid-Experience/Exhibits/Growler.aspxDonated by James B. Lebenthal

This 12-gauge, 3" chamber has a 28" vent rib and polished blued barrel, with interchangeable choke tubes and three chokes (IC, M, F.) The stock is select-grade walnut with special checkering and a high-gloss finish. The Ducks Unlimited logo and DU duck head are on a custom tone-on-tone black receiver. Gun lock included.

Tour the Egyptian Collection and Objects Conservation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Witness the inner workings of one of the leading art conservation departments in the world. You and three friends will join Egyptian Art Conservator Ann Heywood for a tour of the Egyptian collection from a conservator's point of view, including the Tomb of Perneb, the elaborate mummies of Meir, the gold jewelry of the Three Princesses, the ceremonial burial equipment of Tutankhamun and much more. Following that, you will take a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Objects Conservation Department where you will see conservators at work on pieces from various departments. Art Conservators at the Metropolitan Museum are responsible for the preservation, restoration, and scientific study of materials and techniques of art in the Museum's collections. As part of one of the most advanced conservation departments in the world, the Conservators work with equipment and materials that one would find in chemistry and forensics labs, radiology operations and art studios. Maximum 4 people, 1.5 hours, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.metmuseum.org/content/interactives/perneb_tomb/today_05.htmlDonated by Ann Heywood

"Woody Alert," by Peter Corbin

Peter Corbin is primarily known for sporting art landscapes, merging the natural wonders and elegant drama of the sporting life with the realm of fine art. His vivid sporting art scenes convey a sense of place, mood, and atmosphere in the light reflected off the water or the transmitted light through the clouds or trees revealing influences of the Hudson River School. This delicate pencil drawing of a female Wood Duck by Corbin conveys the moment before the drake arrives. 4 x 7 inches, framed in burlwood.http://www.petercorbin.com/Donated by Peter Corbin

Visit with Nelson Bryant, one of the preeminent outdoors writers of our time

Guided Section Hike the on the Appalachian Trail, Pawling, NY: Cat Rocks to the AT Boardwalk over the Great Swamp

You will start your morning's hike at the Dover Oak, the oldest tree on the AT. After a short, challenging hike west you will be rewarded by the scenic view from Cat Rocks, a ledge overlooking a valley defined to the east by to Corbin Hill, along which "Wright and Beth Dykeman's eagles" soar on the early morning thermals. Return to the Dover Oak to hike eastward through the rolling hills and farmland until you are standing on the Corbin Hill ridge. From here, take a gentle footpath down through the forested uplands until you reach the Swamp River. You will step out onto the AT Boardwalk, the only place to cross above the waters of the Great Swamp on foot. Your guide is Ron Rosen, former Chair of the Dutchess-Putnam Management Council of the A.T., and an A.T. volunteer for over 30 years. He is now the NYNJTC Delegate to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Partnership Committee of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. For a group of four in good physical condition.. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.nynjtc.org/news/appalachian-trail-conservancy-honors-trail-conference-volunteersDonated by Ron Rosen
Appalachian Trail Walking Stick donated by Gregory "Cowboy" Monacelli, Design Media Concepts Inc.

Pair of Wood Duck Gunning Style Decoys

Tom Humberstone, past DU New York State Chairman, has donated a pair of his hand carved, hand painted gunning style decoys. Tom is an award winning carver from Skaneateles, NY and is featured in the book Decoys, The Sixty Greatest Living Carvers. He and his wife Betsy are Ducks Unlimited Diamond Life Sponsors. Tom's decoys are wonderful representations of Great Lakes gunning birds and are highly sought after among waterfowl enthusiasts and collectors. Donated by Tom Humberstone
Fly Fish the West Branch of the Farmington River, CT

Fish the West Branch of the Farmington in north-central Connecticut with Anglers Club of New York member Alexis Surovov. The day will focus on the lower Trout Management Area, which begins below the lower Collinsville Dam and extends four miles downriver to the Rte. 4 bridge. The Farmington in the lower TMA is rugged and characterized by big boulders and deep pools that hold some large trout. Year-round cold flows support good numbers of mayflies, caddis, and stoneflies, with Sulphurs, March Browns, and Green Drakes providing some fantastic dry-fly action through May. Late summer dry-fly fishing is best accomplished using extremely light tippets and midges. A good population of terrestrials, such as flying ants and beetles, also can be found here during the summer months. For fall fishing, olives and Isonychia usually produce best. Lunch and wine provided over an informal mid-day tour of the Burlington DEP CT State Trout Hatchery. For two anglers/rods for one half-day (5 hours) during the spring, summer, or fall of 2015 (CT fishing licenses required). Date to be arranged by January 1 for the 2015 season.Donated by Alexis Surovov

Golf Lesson with Anthony Vos

PGA member Tony Vos is the Head Golf Professional at the Quaker Hill Country Club in Pawling, NY. Lesson for one at QHCC at a mutually convenient time. Lesson for one, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.quakerhillcc.com/Donated by Tony Vos

Gift Basket from Womanswork, Pawling, NY

Womanswork is celebrating 29 years as a woman-owned business, based in Pawling, NY. Their gloves and other products are known around the world for quality and style. This Gift Basket includes an assortment of Womanswork products hand-picked by owner Dorian Winslow. Gloves can be exchanged for different sizes. Expires October 4, 2015.www.womanswork.comDonated by Dorian Winslow

Round of Golf at Quaker Hill Country Club, Pawling, NY

Quaker Hill Country Club, located 60 miles north of New York City overlooking the Harlem Valley in the Dutchess county town of Pawling, NY, was founded by legendary radio commentator and adventurer, Lowell Thomas. The scenic 9-hole course was designed by famed golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. with an extra set of tees for those wishing to play 18 holes. A round for four, carts included. Please call the pro shop to schedule. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.quakerhillcc.com/Donated by Carolyn Handler

Imagine yourself in floating on one of the rivers of the Great Swamp as the leaves begin to turn. "I was introduced to the Great Swamp about five years ago when I was invited to kayak with some friends, I became obsessed with paddling and photographing the swamp instantly," says Justin Goodhart, a self-taught photographer from Patterson, NY. Goodhart grew up in the Adirondacks, and moved to the Hudson Valley several years ago. His primary focus is landscape photography. 8" x 12" print, framed.
You can view Justin's work at facebook.com/JGoodhartPhotography.Donated by Justin Goodhart

Invite to your home the creator of one of Forbes' top ten Garden Conservancy gardens in the nation. Duncan Brine is a principal landscape designer at GardenLarge, founded in 1984, and he teaches naturalistic landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden and the New England Wild Flower Society. Just across from the Great Swamp in Pawling, NY, his six acre "Brine Garden" is known for its diverse native plant collection."The line between art and nature has never seemed so blurred as it is at the Brine Garden. ... It is a vision that is... sympathetic to plants' habits and needs, and uses them to tell the landscape story," wrote Susan Lowry and Nancy Berner in their book, Gardens of the Hudson Valley. Brine's landscape work has been widely published in the New York Times, the Litchfield County Times, and in classic garden books: Designer Plant Combinations, 50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants and Private Gardens of the Hudson Valley. The garden has been featured in magazines including: Horticulture, Hudson Valley Magazine, and The American Gardener. Two hour consultation to take place on-site, within one hour of Pawling, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015. http://www.gardenlarge.com/Donated by Duncan Brine

"Sandanona"

Print of a pencil drawing of Sandanona by artist Peter Corbin

http://www.petercorbin.com/ http://www.orvis.com/sandanona

Donated by Orvis Sandanona, Millbrook, NY

Gun Dog Training Session with Jennifer Broome, Quinebaug Kennels

AKC Field Trial and Hunt Test Competitor Jennifer Broome will work with you, a companion and your dogs - any breed of pointing, flushing or retrieving dog - to problem solve or to prepare for the opening of hunting season. Quinebaug Kennels, LLC, was founded by Jennifer in 2001. Her experience extends from years of training and teaching. She is highly professional, a published author, and an expert in raising and training dogs. An avid outdoorswoman and successful hunter, Jennifer simply loves spending time in the field with dogs. Clients travel from all over New England seeking Jennifer's advice and coaching as a prominent gun dog trainer. Her other passions include her artwork, fishing, shooting, and horse riding. Jennifer actively competes with her pointer and retrievers in AKC Field Trials and Hunting Tests
For two handlers and two dogs in Millbrook, NY, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015. http://quinebaugkennels.com/Donated by Jennifer Broome

Canoe in Constitution Marsh on the Hudson River with an Audubon Naturalist Guide

Meander in your canoe through winding channels lined with tall, elegant marsh grasses, searching for hidden wildlife with an Audubon naturalist. Constitution Marsh's interpretive canoe programs focus on the near-shore environments of the tidal Hudson River, especially the natural history of Constitution Marsh and the surrounding Hudson Highlands. Enjoy the physical activity and beautiful scenery, and learn the secrets of the Sanctuary. This package accommodates up to 4 people, and canoes & equipment are provided. Guided Canoe trips last approximately 3 hours and are tide dependent. Certificate is valid from April through September 2015, but call as soon as possible to schedule a date.http://bit.ly/19eLL1LDonated by Stancy DuHamel

Tour for Two of "Audubon's Aviary: Part III of the Complete Flock," New York Historical Society

Take a private tour with a NYHS docent of Part III of a sweeping three-part exhibition showcasing every masterpiece from this unparalleled collection of John James Audubon's preparatory watercolor models for the sumptuous double-elephant-folio print edition of The Birds of America (1827–38). Curator Roberta Olson celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the New-York Historical Society's purchase of the Audubon avian watercolors with this astonishing exhibit, Audubon's Aviary: The Complete Flock (Parts I–III.) The exhibit features all 474 stunning avian watercolors by Audubon in the collection, alongside engaging state-of-the-art media installations that provide a deeper understanding of the connection between art and nature. Included in this package is a copy of "Audubon's Aviary: The Original Watercolors for ‘The Birds of America,'" a lavishly illustrated book published by the NYHS and Skira/Rizzoli, and winner of a 2013 NY Book Show Award. Please schedule the tour for two at a mutually convenient time, during Museum Hours, and for Part III of this exhibit, which will run from March 6 – May 10, 2015.http://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/audubons-aviaryArranged for by Roberta Olson, Curator, "Audubon's Aviary, the Complete Flock."
Audubon's Aviary: The Original Watercolors for The Birds of America, Roberta Olson, donated by Stancy DuHamel

Half-day Pistol Class with Mark Redl, Pro shooter for Colt Firearms

Mark will tailor the class for the level of shooters and the training desired: Beginning, Defensive, or Action Competition. The class will emphasize safety, correct techniques and include drills to hone your skills. Mark's bio includes extensive training and instruction, competition experience and numerous certifications. Mark has been a Special Instructor for the West Point Cadets Combat Weapons Team and the Steel Challenge Coach for the West Point Cadets Combat Weapons Team. Closer to home, his experience includes enforcement training for the Town of Poughkeepsie SWAT team and the East Fishkill Police Department. Half day class for up to four, at a mutually convenient time and location. Expires October 4, 2015.http://bit.ly/MarkRedlDonated by Mark Redl

A Romantic Night for Two at Historic Old Drover's Inn

The legendary Old Drover's Inn is once again the shining star of the Harlem Valley, right here in Dover Plains. Arrive in time for high tea at this historic inn built in 1750. Old Drover's has been renovated as a premier bed & breakfast, and is also available for private parties. "Old Drovers Inn in Dover Plains is the last standing lodging and dining establishment of many that once existed along a route that, during the 19th century, was known as "the great road from New York City to Vermont. Its location at East Duncan Road and Old Post Road (County Route 6) was a major thoroughfare for cowboys who drove herds of cattle from more northern states to New York City." (Poughkeepsie Journal) For two, expires October 4, 2015.Donated by Old Drover's Inn

Tour the Wingdale Mountain Granite Mine – from the inside!

Put on your hardhat as you and three adventuresome friends prepare to travel by van into this six-story underground granite mine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoping
Peckham Industries operates 15 large pieces of equipment specially designed for underground excavation. The primary equipment, double boom drills, low profile loaders and excavators are built only in Europe and Australia; they are big and they are expensive. Peckham is developing the mine very similar to the way the sandhogs in New York City excavate water tunnels underneath the city. They mine horizontally for the most part, but do have "levels" of mined area. Most New York granite mines are aboveground, but Peckham Industries' Wingdale mine in Dutchess County is underground, and supplies crushed granite for roads and other construction needs. In 2007, the company finished moving its rock crushers belowground; this decreased the mine's noise and visual impacts, and increased aboveground storage space for materials. In 2009, there were 23 granite mines operating mostly in the Adirondack and Taconic regions. Washington County, with 9 mines, has the highest concentration of this type of mine in New York State. Some of the large granite mines in New York State also produce crushed stone for construction use. The number of permitted granite mines in the State has more than doubled since 2003. Some of this growth occurred as sand and gravel mine operators decided to dig deeper and switch to mining the granite bedrock underneath. Since 2003, former sand and gravel mines in four Adirondack counties, and two mines in Dutchess County have started producing granite. (NYS DEC, Division of Mineral Resources. 2009 Fact Sheets, Products of New York State Mines. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/09anrpt2.pdf) For a group of four at mutually convenient time, expires October 4, 2015.
"Remember, if it can't be grown, it has to be mined" http://www.peckham.com/Donated by Peckham Industries

Morning at Dover Furnace

Return to the Beretta Shooting Grounds at Dover Furnace for a round of Sporting Clays with instruction, and enjoy lunch afterwards. Read what Shotgun Life has to say about the largest public facility of its kind in the Northeast, at 2000 acres, with the personal touch and quality of service one would expect at a much smaller venue. From Shotgun Life: "Next time you're in NYC for business, try to allocate a few extra hours for a quick round of clays. Cabs are generally available in Dover Plains for the short drive [from the Metro-North Train Station] to the Beretta Shooting Grounds at Dover Furnace. Rent a Beretta shotgun, grab a pair of foam ear plugs and protective eyewear in the Pro Shop and hop in a golf cart. Even if your shooting is in the pits that day, [this] is a feel-good place." For two, expires October 4, 2015.http://www.shotgunlife.com/travel/places-to-shoot/the-berettta-shooting-grounds-at-dover-furnace-is-a-surprise-journey-through-time.htmlDonated by Dover Furnace

Tour the former South Dover Marble Company Quarry with Owner Ian Holback

Every headstone marking the grave of a Civil War Veteran in Arlington Cemetery came from this famous marble quarry in Wingdale, NY. The stone used to build the House of Representatives and the Washington Square Monument also was quarried here. The South Dover Marble Company opened in the early 1800's and operated until 1935. Mining continued through 1977 when Ian took on the reclamation of this 100 acre site. "I liked the challenge of turning it into a beautiful piece of property. I hauled in thousands of yards of top soil and did a tremendous amount of site work to turn an abandoned mine back into agriculture. It is now a working farm. That is my hobby and my passion." Looking through Ian's photographs documenting the reclamation process, you will marvel at what you see before you, and what you don't. On the lowest part of the site, the sky above the former quarry is now reflected in a ten-acre lake. For four, expires October 4, 2105.http://bit.ly/SDMCposhttp://themillbrookindependent.com/news/ian-holback-new-breed-gravel-minerDonated by Ian Holback

Digging for Victory in the Roosevelt Home Garden, with Josh Viertel

Alice Waters, chef, restaurateur and food activist, is leading the charge to re-establish Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's Home Garden in Hyde Park. Waters is a member of the Board, and Josh Viertel, former president of Slow Food USA, an advocacy group, is consulting on the project. As you tour the site with him, you will learn about the Victory Garden movement and be in on the ground floor of the planning and development of this exciting new initiative in Dutchess County.

Josh Viertel is a farmer, activist, and leader in the local and sustainable food movement. He has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and listed as one of the seven most powerful voices in the food movement by Forbes and Michael Pollan. From 2008 through 2012 Viertel served as President Slow Food USA, the US branch of the global Slow Food movement. In that position, he was vocal and controversial in arguing that the local and sustainable food movement in the US and globally must do more to address questions of social justice, race and class. Before his work at Slow Food, Viertel was a founding director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project. Chef Alice Waters recruited him to establish the project, and once there, he broke new ground helping to bring local sustainable food to Yale's dining services, build an organic farm on campus, and develop curriculum for undergraduates related to food and farming. Before his work at Yale, Viertel was a farmer and a shepherd in Sicily. He also earned an AB in Philosophy and Literature from Harvard University. Viertel lives in the Harlem Valley in New York, where he grows, forages, catches or hunts nearly all of what he eats.

As Waters and Viertel envision it, the garden will serve as a megaphone for a nationwide effort. Curriculum materials will be distributed digitally and in print to the general public and through a program specifically targeting public schools. In addition to reaching a national audience, the garden and its onsite programs will target the 200,000 annual visitors to the Roosevelt sites. Local outreach initiatives will emphasize reaching community members, youth, low income people and people of color." The restoration of the Roosevelt Home Garden and the establishment of related Victory Garden Education Programs are projects of the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Conservancy. Restoration will be complete and programs will be in full operation by the spring of 2016, in time to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial. For a group of four, at a mutually convenient time. Expires October 4, 2015.http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/local/2014/09/24/fdr-victory-garden-returns/16184573/Donated by Josh Viertel

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